01of 11
A Cinderella Story
Brandy inRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.Walt Disney Television / Courtesy: Everet
02of 11Princess VibesRon Galella Collection via GettyThe singer and actress, who celebrates her 42nd birthday on Feb. 11, was only 18 when the ABC movie came out, and made history as the first Black woman to portray Cinderella on screen. And as if the elaborate onscreen costumes weren’t dazzling enough, she arrived at the movie’s Hollywood premiere looking like a real-life princess in an embroidered white gown.
02of 11
Princess Vibes
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
The singer and actress, who celebrates her 42nd birthday on Feb. 11, was only 18 when the ABC movie came out, and made history as the first Black woman to portray Cinderella on screen. And as if the elaborate onscreen costumes weren’t dazzling enough, she arrived at the movie’s Hollywood premiere looking like a real-life princess in an embroidered white gown.
03of 11Killer CastWalt Disney Television/courtesy EverettThe inclusive casting featured an A-list roster of stars — perhaps none shining so bright as the late Whitney Houston as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother.In addition to Brandy and Houston, the cast included Whoopi Goldberg as Queen Constantina, Victor Garber as King Maximillian, Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Paolo Montalbán as the Prince and Jason Alexander as Lionel, the King’s counsel. Veanne Cox and the late Natalie Desselle Reid also starred as Cinderella’s stepsisters Minerva and Calliope.
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Killer Cast
Walt Disney Television/courtesy Everett
The inclusive casting featured an A-list roster of stars — perhaps none shining so bright as the late Whitney Houston as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother.
In addition to Brandy and Houston, the cast included Whoopi Goldberg as Queen Constantina, Victor Garber as King Maximillian, Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Paolo Montalbán as the Prince and Jason Alexander as Lionel, the King’s counsel. Veanne Cox and the late Natalie Desselle Reid also starred as Cinderella’s stepsisters Minerva and Calliope.
04of 11Real-Life MagicBrandy and Whitney Houston inRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.Walt Disney Television / Courtesy: Everett"My childhood dreams were to be a singer, touch as many people as I could and to meet Whitney Houston, just meet her," Brandytold PEOPLE in August 2020. Houston, who executive produced the movie, played real-life fairy godmother to the young singer when she tapped her for the role.“So to meet her, hang out with her and sing with her,” Brandy added, “it was unbelievable. For her to cast me in such a role, the first Black princess, I don’t know the words to really describe what that feels like.”
04of 11
Real-Life Magic
Brandy and Whitney Houston inRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.Walt Disney Television / Courtesy: Everett
“My childhood dreams were to be a singer, touch as many people as I could and to meet Whitney Houston, just meet her,” Brandytold PEOPLE in August 2020. Houston, who executive produced the movie, played real-life fairy godmother to the young singer when she tapped her for the role.
“So to meet her, hang out with her and sing with her,” Brandy added, “it was unbelievable. For her to cast me in such a role, the first Black princess, I don’t know the words to really describe what that feels like.”
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Behind the Scenes
ABC /Courtesy Everett
“We wereHamiltonbeforeHamilton,” Whoopi Goldberg toldEntertainment Weeklyduring a recent virtual cast reunion.
06of 11A Royally Good TimeABC /Courtesy Everett"I feel like it’s divine timing," BrandytoldVarietyof the film finding its home online at long last. “This is the month of love; this is a month of Black history. This is just the perfect time for this product to be shared with everyone.”
06of 11
A Royally Good Time
“I feel like it’s divine timing,” BrandytoldVarietyof the film finding its home online at long last. “This is the month of love; this is a month of Black history. This is just the perfect time for this product to be shared with everyone.”
07of 11Lasting LegacyBrandy in the 1997 film.Walt Disney Television / Courtesy: EverettRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderellawill join the “Celebrate Black Stories” collection on Disney+ alongsideSoul,Black Is King,Black Panther,Hidden Figuresand others.
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Lasting Legacy
Brandy in the 1997 film.Walt Disney Television / Courtesy: Everett
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderellawill join the “Celebrate Black Stories” collection on Disney+ alongsideSoul,Black Is King,Black Panther,Hidden Figuresand others.
08of 11
Denim Darlings
09of 11Glammed UpRon Galella Collection via GettyA week later, the trio appeared looking like real-life royalty for the film’s Hollywood premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
09of 11
Glammed Up
A week later, the trio appeared looking like real-life royalty for the film’s Hollywood premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
10of 11Sibling SupportRon Galella Collection via GettyThe singer posed for a photo with her younger brother, Ray-J, on the red carpet.
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Sibling Support
The singer posed for a photo with her younger brother, Ray-J, on the red carpet.
11of 11Happily Ever AfterABC /Courtesy EverettFrom the elaborate costumes and musical numbers to the hilarious one-liners, the movie is a blended time capsule of everything we love about the late ’90s and the timeless fairytale — and have we mentioned the perfect pairing of Brandy and Montalbán?
11of 11
Happily Ever After
From the elaborate costumes and musical numbers to the hilarious one-liners, the movie is a blended time capsule of everything we love about the late ’90s and the timeless fairytale — and have we mentioned the perfect pairing of Brandy and Montalbán?
source: people.com
